5/31/2005 05:28:00 PM|||kim|||

As this article on the KTUU website points out, the compromise worked out last week makes it more likely that the Arctic Reserve will get drilled:

When a group of moderate senators announced Monday they had reached a deal over the filibustering or blocking of federal judicial nominees, a major fight was averted. Legislative business would not come to a halt, as it could have.

That made a difference for those fighting against and for ANWR development.

“As it relates to ANWR being tied into the budget, I am more optimistic today about it than I was yesterday,” Sen. Murkowski said.

If the Senate continues to avoid the “nuclear option” -- a name given to the deep conflict over judicial nominees -- it's more likely that Congress could pass a final budget measure this year. And that measure could allow ANWR to be drilled in order to raise revenue for the federal government.

Remember that the principle weapon used by pro-drilling Republicans is the budget in that a filibuster is not possible.

I thought it was interesting that the author of this piece didn't even bother to cloud the issue with false claims that it will lower gas prices, make us less dependent on foreign oil, or any of the other claptrap that the White House uses.

It's about money.

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